Bandits dressed in hijabs abduct 26 in Katsina

In an attack on the Runka community in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, bandits disguised in hijabs (Abaya) kidnapped 26 people, mostly women and children.

The Runka community is located near the notorious Rugu Forest, a known hideout for criminals over the years, reports Channels TV.

A source from the community told our correspondent via telephone yesterday that the assailants invaded the area around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, firing shots indiscriminately.

The source suggested that the attack was facilitated by informants within the community. Although no one was killed, one person was injured while attempting to escape and has since been hospitalized.

“The bandits abducted at least 25 people. Among my relatives, twelve persons were kidnapped,” the source reported.

“There was no security personnel presence during the attack which lasted for hours until after the incident when an armored personnel carrier attached with some police personnel was deployed to patrol the area.

“The bandits stationed themselves everywhere in the community. They moved from house to house, breaking and burgling the entrances and taking the occupants to the forest.

“During the attack, one of the bandits was overheard having a telephone conversation with an unknown informant telling him that, ‘Today, we’ve come to your hometown’.”

Police authorities in Katsina State are yet to comment on the incident as the spokesman of the command Abubakar Sadiq did not respond to inquiries from our correspondent.

But the chairman of Safana Local Government Area Abdullahi said 22 persons were abducted though some have managed to escape.

“The DPO Safana has deployed and stationed his team alongside soldiers to the area and they have already commenced a rescue operation,” he stated.